Over the last few days we’ve seen more and more rumours about Apple’s plans for the iPhone 17 range. It’s still very early days into the rumour cycle. But some pieces of information are starting to be repeated from different outlets and by different sources. While never a dead cert, it starts to give us some flavour of what we can expect. At the heart of these rumours? Modem technology and displays.
Custom designed Apple Modems
According to Bloomberg analyst Mark Gurman and shared by 9to5 Mac, Apple’s multi-year effort to bring its custom-designed modems to its products will start to pay off next year. Apple will replace Qualcomm as its modems supplier over a couple of years, but starting with the iPhone SE 4 in early 2025 and then the rumoured iPhone 17 Air later in the year. Apple may also rely on its own modems in its lower-end iPads.
Apple’s first effort isn’t coming to its Pro models and higher-end devices because there are expected to be trade-offs in speed and carrier aggregation. Carrier aggregation is able to combine signal bands from multiple providers at the same time, which helps with network demand and stability. Qualcomm modems can aggregate 6 bands, while Apple’s will be able to handle 4 bands. As for speed, Apple’s modem caps out at 4 gigabits per second, allegedly.
In 2026 and into 2027, Apple will ship more powerful modems across the line for its iPhone 18 range, with support for ultra-fast mmWave technology. It’ll support speeds way in excess of 4 gigabits per second. Potentially 10 gigabits.
In my opinion, 4 gigabit isn’t really a downgrade. With how throttled network capacity is globally, does anybody ever realistically get those kinds of speeds? I certainly haven’t. The fastest speed I’ve ever experienced is around 2 gigabits per second in very close proximity to a high-capacity mast. As for mmWave technology, it isn’t available here in the UK. But even if it were, as US customers have seen, its availability from carriers is extremely limited.
Apple likes to own the primary technologies in its devices. The most recent example of this being the move away from embattled Intel to their own customer Apple Silicon. The modem in each iPhone is also a primary technology. Without it, the iPhone is a beautiful paperweight. Everything you do on your iPhone relies on the modem. From downloading music to scrolling social media, downloading email, and more. But I also understand Apple is taking a cautious approach and managing risk by focusing on its lower-end devices first and managing expectations.
In the longer term, relying on its own wireless technology may yield benefits like improved battery life thanks to deep integration and devices that run cooler when downloading large files. It’ll reduce Apple’s reliance on Qualcomm who makes Snapdragon chips for its rivals and it may even do for the iPhone what Apple Silicon did for the Mac if executed well.
iPhone 17 set for big display upgrades
Apple is adding meaningful display upgrades across the iPhone 17 lineup according to Macrumors. The standard iPhone 17 and 17 Air are set to be the biggest beneficiaries.
17 and 17 Air
Apple will finally bring 120Hz ProMotion technology to the standard iPhone. The higher refresh rate technology has been limited to the higher end Pro models of iPhone. But that looks set to change with the iPhone 17. Apple is also set to increase the display size from 6.1” to 6.3” to match the current Pro line. The current iPhone 16 Pro made the jump to 6.3”, up from last years iPhone 15 Pro. Apple is expected to replace the plus models with the Air so we aren’t likely to see an iPhone 18 Plus with an even larger screen.
17 Pro and 17 Pro Max
The Pro models with support a new power efficient, battery saving technology called Low-Dielectric TEE. The technology is said to reduce wasted power and energy loss, increasing efficiency for better battery life. And it may also reduce signal interference too.
17 Pro Max
A smaller, narrower Dynamic Island is expected from Apple’s 17 Pro Max thanks to a smaller ‘metalens’ Face ID system. It uses a flat image sensor, not the traditional curved image sensor, focusing light into a smaller area. But this is expected to to be exclusive to the Pro Max.
All Models
All models of iPhone 17 are expected to see an upgrade tot he display material. It’s expected to be notably more resistant to scratches than the Ceramic Shield that Apple currently uses in its iPhone 16 range. It’s also expected to have an anti-reflective coating that will reduce glare and improve visibility in bright lighting conditions, especially outdoors.
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